Kukla's Korner Hockey

But if the Canucks are truly into outside-the-box thinking, as the new regime purports, than Roberto Luongo’s groin injury should be viewed as an opportunity for Vancouver’s head coach to break with convention and make an organizational statement.

That statement: “Cory Schneider is our No. 1 goaltender.”

While Luongo’s injury realized Vancouver’s worst fear, and while backup Curtis Sanford has played well in relief, this window provides a rare chance for the Canucks to either build up Schneider as a valuable trade asset or groom him as Luongo’s eventual replacement.

That means playing Schneider, a 22-year-old rookie and former first-round draft pick who has yet to log a single minute in an NHL crease, while Luongo mends his wounds. It means giving the kid a string of games to show he belongs in the NHL right now.